BENGALURU: By Vijayendra, the president of the Karnataka BJP, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday, in a significant development for the state BJP. The meeting comes at a time when the tensions between Vijayendra and senior BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal have reached a peak, with Yatnal being a vocal critic of Vijayendra and his father, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.
During his visit to New Delhi, Vijayendra expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Modi, calling the interaction “immensely inspirational.” On social media, Vijayendra praised Modi’s unwavering dedication and hard work, which he said motivates millions of BJP workers like himself to contribute to nation-building. He added that the Prime Minister’s guidance was crucial in encouraging them to develop programs aimed at engaging the youth and strengthening the party.
Vijayendra mentioned that the purpose of his meeting with Modi was to seek the Prime Minister’s blessings on completing his one-year tenure as the state BJP chief. He also noted that Modi’s words had motivated them to work harder for the organization’s growth.
Following his meeting with Modi, Vijayendra traveled directly to Belagavi, where the state legislature session is currently in progress. During his two-day visit to Delhi, he is also scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to update him on the political developments in Karnataka, including the BJP’s poor performance in the recent bypolls.
Vijayendra is expected to discuss upcoming elections and the potential role of the NDA in the Mysuru region with the central leadership. His visit comes as he seeks to assert his position as the party president, amidst efforts by Yatnal and his supporters to remove him from office. Last week, Yatnal, along with other prominent figures such as Kumar Bangarappa, GM Siddeshwara, and Ramesh Jarkiholi, visited Delhi to press for a change in leadership within the Karnataka BJP. However, their attempts to meet with senior party leaders were largely unsuccessful, except for a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Sources indicate that Yatnal’s group is pushing for leadership changes within the Karnataka BJP, with expectations of a new president in January 2025. Despite these efforts, Vijayendra’s meeting with Modi is seen as a clear sign that the central leadership continues to back him.
